STORYTELLER
“With Terra Mare, we hope to create a haven where guests can enjoy delicious dishes with a homely flavor and a Mediterranean spirit that is both generous, open-minded and full of narrative.”
– Chef Olivier Génique –
CULINARY DREAM
Chef Olivier Génique, born in Sète, France, into a family with a culinary tradition. Therefore, he was deeply inspired and pursued his passion for cooking from a very early age.
In 1998, Olivier attended Ecole Hoteliere d’Avignon – a famous school in France specializing in training in the fields of restaurants, hotels and cuisine. He spent some time gaining experience at the 3 Michelin-starred restaurant Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier under the leadership of the Pourcel brothers. Oliver Génique has also worked with renowned chefs such as Michel Del Burgo, Keisuke Matsushima and Alain Ducasse.
In 2012, Chef Génique moved to Hanoi to lead Le Beaulieu restaurant at Sofitel Legend Metropole and Le Beaulieu has been honored as one of the world’s leading hotel restaurants. Olivier then moved independently as a consultant, co-founding Fabrik restaurant in 2019 and becoming Culinary Director at Cousins restaurant.
Chef Génique’s prestigious awards include the title “Maîtres Cuisiniers de France” in 2018, Fabrik being named one of Asia’s top restaurants in 2022, and most recently, the position of Vice President of the Escoffier Association Vietnam in 2024.
Mediterranean dishes create endless memories and inspiration
The flavors of childhood and memories of peaceful days in the coastal town of Sète are authentic, precious ingredients that inspire the chef. Through years of studying, training and passionate practice, Olivier Génique’s signature dishes gradually took shape, combining the elegance and classicism of the European-Mediterranean style with the familiarity and elegance of the Asian-Vietnamese style.
Chef Olivier shared that he always wanted to recreate traditional French culture in Vietnam, while honoring the vibrant flavors of Vietnam through the voice and culinary language of a foreigner living, working and falling in love with Vietnamese culture.
